NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A manatee that was stuck in a stormwater ditch in New Smyrna Beach has died, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The manatee was discovered Wednesday in a ditch off Industrial Park Avenue, just west of the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.
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The FWC said rescuers were involved some type of rescue in Georgia on Wednesday and could not immediately attend to the manatee, which died overnight.
Crews have their hands full trying to save manatees as the temperature drops and food problems continue in the Indian River Lagoon.
On Wednesday, FWC researchers said 97 manatees have died so far in 2022, and the numbers are higher now because of the cold, with up to 10 dead manatees found a day in Florida since temperatures dropped.
If you come across a sick or injured manatee, call FWC’s Wildlife Alert toll-free number: 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922), or #FWC or *FWC on a mobile device.